Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-10-06


belonging to ripper years Katie applied
Miss Emery's teachings as a balm to
Billy's wounded spirit.
81 can pray, Billy" she said at last.
ssMiss Emery taught me how. She told
ne to ask God to bless our enemies as
we'll as our friends. She says if I ask for
what is right and best my prayer will
certainly be answered. Don't you be-
lieve it? do. I'm going to pray for
Benny tonight. I do hope he will get
well. And 1 am going to ask God to
make your father sober and good again.
faint right for him to take your money
and spend it while you and the rest of
you starve. Now, good night, Billy"
The scene that followed was too sacred
to be witnessed by any but the angels. /
will not attempt te describe it. But when
Katie disappeared in the dark hallway
she was in possession of Billy's two I'M
sold papers, and Billy went away with a
heavier pocket but lighter heart, for
thus did he secure for this time immuni-
fly from his drunken fathers cruel rod.
Billy trudged on through the snow,
turning one corner, then another. He
had not gone for, however, when a
tall woman, without bonnet Or cloak and
very thinly clad, suddenly rushed from
somewhere.
sob, Billy!'' she cried, "run for the doc
ter. quick; Bennys dying. Find father
and send him home!"
Billy darted off without word. The
woman ran up a narrow alley, leaping
over drifts, almost flying over the snow,
and forcing me to my utmost speed to
keep her in sight. The alley extended
a. L L II e.
an instant only before small house, then
disappeared from view.
When I arrived at the spot I was
startled by an agonizing shriek-a pro-
longed Lamentations burdened with grief
and despair. Then all was STILL The
half curtained window at the end of the
house afforded view of the interior. 1t
was jus such a place as one expects to
find where poverty ans drink combine to
deal out misery to men.
| But what a scene met my enQuiring
gaze! Across little cot lay the mani
mate form of the woman, and the light
shone full upon the cause of her grief
the marble face of the dead babe pillow
ed upon her arm. On the floor in corn
er. braced against the wall, sat the intox-
icated head of the household, aroused in
/ y
staring idiotically about him as if endeav-
oring TO find out where he was and what
| 1t ali meant.
| Presently the woman moved, arose
slowly, kissed the cold lips, then laid the
| lifeless head gently upon the pillow. For
a moment she stood gazing upon her
face and tenderly adjusted the light Gov
ering.
Now she discovered the figure in the
corner. Its presence was evidently IN
expected. She instantly drew herself up
to her full height while an unnatural light
cleaned in her dark eyes. She stretched
her hand toward the still wondering i'm
beetle and almost shrieked:
"BiII Benson, come here and see your
work!''
A ray of intelligence suddenly Lit up the
bIoated face. He heard the voice of the
woman he had cruelty deceived ans
| shamefuIly abused-the woman who had
cringed before him for years, who had
borne his brutality without resentment
but now changed.
The old leer fingered for an instant
over his visage, but only for an in
slant.
"Bill Benson, do you hear me? Come
and see! See! See!"
The words were positively Kissed. She
waved her outstretched arm in direction
of the deathbed of her child, while the
now thoroughly sObereG husband and
| father, following the movement, stag
geredto the opposite side of the cot.
"Behold your work! He's dead! deadi .
| Do you understand? You killed him
killed-killed him!'
| The fre1Zied woman paused moment,
while the man covered before her righte-
Gus wrath like whipped cur.
"Bill Benson" she went on, 1sfor thir-
teen years l have clung TO you. / have
worked like slave day and night to keep
| a home for you; and instead of helping
me you have stolen my earnings and
spent them for drink. While you have
been carousing with your lazy compan-
ions your wife and your children have
gone without bread. See your child there
starved to death! Look at me, the
woman you promised to love and cherish
in rags; and Billy out this bitter night,
almost naked, because you have robbed
him of his money. We might have been
happy bat for your love of dripk!'
Benson had dropped upon mis- knees and
was sobbing, while he hid his head in the
| clothes that covered the remains OF his
child. At first defiant, he gradually
| aaailed under his wife's bitter denuncia-
| tions and finally broke down com pletely.
! What is there so tender as a woman's
sympathy? Mrs. Benson ceased speak
ing, then moved round 10 the other side
OF the cot and falling down beside her
husband mingled her tears with his.
few minutes later, putting his arm
gently around his wife, Benson raised her
slowly and allowed her head to rest upon
his shoulder.
Then he lifted his right hand to heaven,
his lips moved, the words were few and
indistinct, but know that no man could
take boiler cath than that taken that
night by Bill Benson in the presence of
his dead child.
As they rose to their feet Billy and the
doctor entered the house. The latter
hastily Invested himself of his rich fur
coat, cap and gloves, then stepped at
once to the cot. He laid his hand over
the little child's heart, then stopped and
placed his ear on the little ones breast.
I saw at once that his professional
touch had discovered what was indis-
ornibIo 70 ,,pSE,IIoJ oro Of @bo rx~,oe